YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 18, No. 49
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Changing responses to school threats
No Grinch here
T
he City of Oakley and its residents celebrated the season with the annual tree lighting, Dec. 1. The popular event featured refreshments, music, games and a visit from the jolly old elf himself. “We had another outstanding family-friendly event,” said Oakley Mayor Randy Pope. “People of all ages, including Santa Claus came together to enjoy that cheerful and festive feeling that these To events provide.” view a video of the event, visit www.thepress.net/ multimedia
by Tony Kukulich Staff Writer
Early this year, 19-year-old Oakley resident Tristan Amir Curl made a series of threats against students and staff at Freedom High, and while he was arrested without incident, the potential for violence underscored the need for training and preparation to deal with active-shooter or intruder circumstances on school grounds. At the same time, the Brentwood Police Department (BPD) was working with the Liberty Union High School District and the Brentwood Union School District to implement a program called ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) intended
Photo by Greg Robinson
see Threats page 30
Delta Coves development back on track by Aly Brown Staff Writer
A new housing development in Bethel Island is ramping up for a grand opening this spring, and officials boast it as a last-ofits-kind Delta-centric development. Located on Bethel Island, the Delta Coves community will feature 560 waterfront homes – each with its own boat dock – and an Island Camp, a 4,500-square-foot clubhouse with a fitness center, swimming pool and event center. When it comes to homes surrounded by water, East County locals often think of nearby Discovery Bay, but Nick Taratsas, DMB Development executive vice president and Delta Coves general man-
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“ Delta Coves, while it’s not a gated community, is definitely more of a club community.
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Nick Taratsas ager, said Delta Coves will have its differences. “Delta Coves, while it’s not a gated community, is definitely more of a club community,” Taratsas said, noting the club will be highly programmed. “It’s much smaller – only about a quarter of the size (of Discovery Bay) … and it’s a little less residential in its feel. It’s not like a normal neighborhood.” Locals have anticipated an opening on this project for several years. Taratsas explained
that the area’s history involved a zoning battle about 30 years ago. After the matter of zoning was settled, however, improvements launched in the midst of the Great Recession and things came to a halt. In February 2017, the owners – Dune Real Estate LLC, Colony Capital and SunCal – contracted DMB Development with the task of revisioning and rebranding. Taratsas said that’s when he and his team hit the ground running and tossed around ideas for what the
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community would look like. “When we first stepped on the project, there was talk of ‘yacht’ and that kind of blue blazer (society), but it wasn’t authentic to the location,” he said. “This is the Delta. It’s got 100 some odd years of country heritage. The vibe out here will be a Delta laid-back community. It’s a refined club, but it’s cut-offs in a $100,000 wakeboarding boat – a little bit of a dichotomy but very laid back.” Taratsas described the homes to have colors and architecture to match the surrounding landscape of the Delta. The houses will range from 1,800 to 4,000 square feet, offering anywhere from three to six bed-
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Activity Guide INSIDE
Check out this year’s candy map to see each state’s favorite holiday treat.
December 7, 2018
Heading To Disney World
One local little girl got the gift of a lifetime thanks to the Make-AWish Foundation. Page 5
Documenting City’s Growth
Liberty High art students depict Brentwood’s growth and change with new mural project. Page 4
Taking It To The Finals
Freedom defeats Cal High to advance to third straight NCS championship game. Page 21 Calendar................................31 Classifieds.............................26 Cop Logs................................29 Education ..............................6 Entertainment.....................13 Food........................................12 Health & Beauty..................16 Milestones............................14 Pets...........................................8 Sports.....................................21
Rail Conflict
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Assemblymember Jim Frazier releases statement on High Speed Rail Authority.